‘Sisters’ Scene Too Steamy

NBC has excised the opening scene of the new NBC Saturday night drama series “Sisters” because the characters discuss orgasms. The intro to the premiere episode, set to air at 10 p.m. May 11, involves three female leads in a steam room discussing their sexual experiences.

The decision to edit the scene “was not based on [threatened] advertiser pullouts,” as the series’ creators claim, a network spokeswoman said. NBC made a preemptive strike, apparently fearing a negative reaction from advertisers, affils and viewers.

“After much consideration, NBC has determined the need to edit the opening scene in order to respond to certain constituencies of the network that would find elements of the opening dialog offensive,” said an NBC statement.

The show’s creators, Ron Cowan and Daniel Lipman, called the move “censorship by advertiser timidity.”